Police Investigate Over 10 Civic Group Members
People Power Party: "Free Memorial Visits Embody the May Spirit"
Democratic Party: "Politically Motivated... Excessive Investigation"
The Gwangju branch of the People Power Party is issuing a statement criticizing the Korean University Students Progressive Union for obstructing party leader Jang Donghyuk's visit to pay respects at the May 18 Memorial. Provided by the Gwangju branch of the People Power Party
The police have launched an investigation into a civic group that held an unauthorized rally and blocked People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk from paying respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. While the Gwangju branch of the People Power Party held a press conference emphasizing that the spirit of May should guarantee anyone the freedom to visit the cemetery, the Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea pushed back, calling the investigation "excessive" and arguing that the protest was a response to a politically motivated visit.
The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 18th that it is investigating members of the civic group for alleged violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act.
They are accused of holding an illegal rally at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the 6th and obstructing Jang's visit to pay his respects.
The police officers dispatched to the scene determined that their actions may have been illegal and formally requested an investigation.
The police are also reviewing whether to apply charges such as property damage and obstruction of work, as they confirmed that the group knocked over and damaged a floral tribute sent by Jang's side for the memorial visit.
The police plan to determine how to handle the individuals involved after completing a thorough investigation into the circumstances.
In response, the Gwangju branch of the People Power Party held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council, stating, "The rally on that day was an unreported, illegal protest, and the scene was chaotic, filled with verbal abuse, insults, and violence." "The true spirit of May is that anyone should be able to freely pay respects at the May 18 Memorial, and it should be open to everyone," they emphasized.
On the other hand, the Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea countered, "Legitimate citizen protests at the national cemetery are being criminalized. This is an unnecessarily excessive investigation," and added, "Civic groups defined Jang's visit as a 'staged memorial with strong political motives' and therefore staged a strong protest at the site."
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